Combined chair, table, and fire-escape.



Y Y. xwATA. COMBINED CHAIR, TABI.E AIID FIRE ESCAPE.

, Y APPLICATION FIKLED MAR. 23, 1916. 1,265,203. Patentedv May 7,1918.

3 SHEETS-SHEET I Y. IWATA. COMBINED CHAIR, TABLE, AND HRE ESCAPE.

APPLlcmon num un. z. Isls.

Patented4 May 7,1918.

'3,SHEETS-SIIEET 2.

:rlllnmlllll III Y. -|wATA.

-COMBLNED CHAIR, TABLE, AND FIRE ESCAPE.

APPLlCATIQN' FILED MAR123. |916.

- Patentd .May 7, 1918.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

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g unirsi) srArE-s PATENT onnroE. N

Y'osHr'ro vI'WAT'A, or B'FFALO, NEW YORK. I

coMBiNEn CHAIR, TABLE, AND FIRE- ESCAPE To all whom t may concern.'

Be it known that I, YosHrro IWATA, a .citizen of J apamresiding at Buffalo, inthe count-y of Erie and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Combined Chairs, Tables, andv Fire-"Escapes, of which the following is a specification, reference rbeing had therein `to the accompanying drawing.

ject the provision of a fire escape which may at .all times be conveniently located for use in` case ,of emergency, while at the same time adapted to perform other functions in the iield of ture.

hends a ,re' escape employed in a combination designed as a chair, table or desk dependent upon the relation of the adjustable or.r interchangeable parts as will more fully hereinafter appear.

The invention further embraces a fireeseape made up yof a plurality ofjfoldable members adapted to be closed into parallel relation and in pairs, the pivots being arranged at alternate ends, in combination with a combined guide and grip adapted to slide downwardly over said members when extended; more specifically, the guide and grip being providedL withspaced devices adapted to alternately interit with complemental and like portionsy of the members when the combined grip and guidek sleeves over the `alternating outside and inside bars.

The invention still further comprises many improved details in construction and arrangement of parts, all asrwill be broughtl and back 0f the device;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view showing the lire escape 1n use;

specification of Letters Patent.

This invention relates to irnprovementsy in lire escapes and has'for, its prima-ry ob-` useful householdkfurni- The invention vmore particularly compre- Fig. 5 is a perspective view showin `v the manner of folding the foldable seat 0 the lire escape; p

Fig. 6 is e a detail transverse section y Patented May 7,1918.

Application med March 23,1916. seriainoeaza-i. i i

through one of the foldable bars ofY the klire, escape showing the coperation of the combined grip and clamp with a pair (in-` sideand outside) of said bars;

Fig. 7k is a rear view of the device;

kFig 8 are respectively plan" and .longi-V tudinal sectional' views of the chair arms showing the manner Lof elongating yor contracting the same;

Fig. 9 is afragmentary topf to the fire escape body', with the chair Varmsand back removed; and

'sectionaly view i showing the application of a desk or table Fig;y l() is a perspective view of a shelf y.

`unit adapted to be detachably placed on the table top as indicated lin the preceding iigure.

Referring more specifically to the drawings, wherein like reference characters designate. corresponding parts throughoutthe several views, A represents a flat base having a `pair of parallel cleats Bon the surfacek fork det-achably centering the same within kthe substantially rectangular frame C having the 11p-rights D at the" corners thereof, the side members of the frame ybeing composed of-voverlying sections eprovided with a series of apertures c" into and rear yuprights to greater or; less rdistances apart for the purpose to be later brought out.` Passing through the upper ber of similar bars connected and arranged,

when unfolded, to constitute an elongated fire escape ladder adapted to depend from a window or other opening ina building. These bars are arranged in pairs which I will designate the inside and outside bars, F denoting the inside and F2 denoting the which, when registered, locking pins c2 may y. be removably inserted to bring' the front.

ends Yof the forward pair of up-rights D is elongation to cons itute the ybefore men-r tioned lire escape ladder as will be readily understood;

Near the ends of the bars F', they each carry tapered guide lugs or securely fastened projections G operating to automatically aline the lbars when they are undergoing the folding action, and serving as spacing members to separate the ladder from the wall when the ladder hangs without the Y building to perform its function as a ladder, this spacing of the ladder from the Wall, as is obvious, being intended to accommodate the hands and feet of the user, and to afford space for the travel of a coinbined clamp and grip which will presently be described. j i f lt will be observed that the first lowermost inside bar F is the only one secured to the up-rights D, this adjustmentbeing shown at the front, the first outside bars resting on the tops of the up-rights at said front and the rear ends of the saine bars resting upon the tops of the rear uprights but held against upward movement there from by atie member H having a hook t at one end adapted to engage over the pivot bar or rung of the uppermost inside bars F and having a rounded catch /l/ at its lower end to be sprung over a cross rod h2 bridging the upper ends of the rear uprights l), the resiliency of the bars, all of them being formed of metal, being such as to permit the engagement of the tie member and by spring action hold the tie member when in place. f

Similarly formed tie members l engage the uppermost and lowermost tapered rods or rungs both at front and rear of the fire escape portion when folded or nested; and an additional tie member d sprung over one of the front rungs and engaging a cross rod j of front arm supports 7c to tie said arm support to the folded ladder body, the rear arm supports being pivoted on the terminal por ions of the uppermost rear pivot rod or rung of the ladder, all of these rungs save the pivot rod E first mentioned being designated E.

rlhe rear legs continue upward to constitute a chair back in connected to the front legs 7a at a suitable distance above the top of the ladder body by arms K, the same being formed of sections adapted to slide upon each other through the medium of wire loops orbrackets k2 and to be locked in adjusted positions with the front and back legs separated at desired distances apart by means of double headed keys le adapted to be introduced through elongated slots 7o, so that the keys when enlargements c5 of the slots are in registration, may be turned at an angle to their position of introduction so as to cross the slots and enter the enlargements, thus locking the members of the arm against displacement. 'L is a chair bottom which may others of said lugs or projections to prevent lplay of the bottom from front to rear of the ladder body;

Each of the bars of the ladder body is grooved centrally throughout the length of its upper and lower surfacesto constitute when the ladder is unfolded or extended what may be styled a broken, staggered, or irregular guide way extending along the front, and also one extending along the rear of the ladder.

M are tile combined grip and guiding members the same being of U-shape having the arms m and connecting portion m the arms being adapted to ride along the front and rear faces of the bars E" and F2 when extended with the connecting portion m disposed laterally at the sides and recessed as at m2 to pass over the nuts on the threaded ends of the pivot bars or rungs E. These members M carry two pairs of oppositely disposed' guide pins m3 mt projecting `inwardly into the space between the arms m, the former pins being adapted to interlock with the front and rear grooves of the inside ladder bars and the latter to interlock V ladder as the member alternately passes over the inner and outer bars F and F2. To that form of the U-shape members M now under consideration which is presented forwardly when the ladder sections are extended I provide grips m5 which may be utilized by a person in sliding down the ladder when any suitable rope or belt may be engaged with the body if need be, the weight applied to the grips causing the tilting or canting action of the U-shape members so that the arms lvl will frictionally engage the front and rear faces of the ladder bars and prevent a too rapid descent.

l Preferably, I suspend from the combined guides and grips a platform or seat N conveniently formed of wire, andof an improved foldable character including horizontal end rods n, telescopically related vertical supporting krods rtl-4t2, and jointed l diao'onal suo ortinO rods n3-4r* ivotall :a l c connected as at a5 to the outer ends of the horizontal rods n and pivotally and slidably connected at their upper ends to the vertical rods n2, the lower ends of the vertical rods ln being similarly pivotally connected to the inner ends of the horizontal rods-n. Thi-@telescopic function, and the pivoting function is accomplishedin each instance by looping the rod members around each other as illustrated, it being observed that the loops ,at the upper end of the jointed diago. nal supporting rods'overlie the loops at the ends of the upper members of the vertical supporting rods to limit the outward movement of the seat or platform N. The seat terminates about midway of the horizontal suliportingv rods 'a so that ample space is provided between the inner edge of said seat and thewall or ladder for the accommodation of the legs of the occupant, this render'- ing it easy yfor the occupant toutil'ize his legs in forcing the seat or platform away from any possible catching or binding vengagement 'with the remainder of the structure' when the saine is traveling downwardly, and also enables )the occupant to face the building to prevent dizziness, and to facilitate the engagement of the grips m5 and proper manipulation thereof to secure the release of the frictional holding action of the members M on the ladder bars.

The folding of the platform or seat just described will be` clear fromV the ldrawings but it may be here observed, when not in use,

when the same is to beplaced at the back of the chair, it is simply necessary to fold inwardly the diagonalr supporting rods and then slide the same together with the lower vertically: supportingv y rods n vupwardly along the uppervertical supportingy rods n2, the outer bar of the seat or platform engaging over the hooks N pivoted upon the uppermost pivot rod or rung at the back of the chair. i

G are casters carried by the lowermos't i ladder bars when folded to constitute the body ofthe chair and may be utilized to directly supportV said kbody and Vthe remainder of the structure thereabove upon the floor by simply removing the frame C with its uprights D from the foldable lauder portion incident vto th'ewithdrawal of the pivot rod E passing through the lowermostladder barsand the upper ends of the uprigh'ts D', andremoving the tie member H holdingthe ladder body to the cross bar bridging the rearv upright's.

As shown in Fig. 9, the chair back and most ladder bars.

arms .may be removed by springing off the appropriate front tie member and removing the rearcross bar bridgingthe rear arm supports lo and pivotally engaging the upper- When this is -done the base member A may be inverted and laid upon the ladder body toserve as a table or desk top, the cleats M thereof fitting between the upper side bars of the ladder body and the top being heldin place by enga ing appropriate tie members J22 J3 therewit as shown, the tie members springing'over rods P bridging `the endsof the cleats B.

L "It is here observed that 'when the mns andback are in position the combined grip and clamping members M lare disposed on the -rear arm'supports, suitable grooves Q being formed in the front and yrear faces thereof for the reception of the outer series yof' guide pins'fit being remembered thatV the supports' is are in the plane with the outer ladder'arms, and thus vthe combined grips and guides are in position to bevslid'downiv'ardl'yover the ladder bars when the re escape is in use, all that is necessary to permit such use being to pull oftheV tie members, when'thechair arms and their supports may be fitted over a bottom portion of a' window frame and adj acent wall to anchor the -re escape to said window, `the* ladder simply dropping downwardly along the'wall fromthe pivoted' connection with the rear members cofthe arm support, Themeans enabling the elongation or shortening of the vchair arms afford ready facility for fitting ythe same to varying widths of window frames and walls as will be obvious.

'When' the device is in use as a table th combined grips and uides may then occupy a position upon the orward uprightsD, the

latterbeing grooved along its front and rear v faces as" indicated at R for this purpose.' Here, thevframe C with said uprightv will constitute the means' for spanning the "winldow sill and associated parts, to hold the ladder7 a'sthe same is' permitted to open in falling downwardly from the pivotin cross rod E bridgingtheforward uprights' In this instance alsoit is simply necessary to pull off the s ring held tie members to rejlease the ladder from" t'he rear uprights D, and the ladder sectionsfrom each other, as well as to release the double top when the top may belinstantly thrown. aside and out stood, this attachment being removed or Vstored when the desk is not desired orwlien Lother forms and devices involving various alterations and changes in detail yand relative arrangementof parts, all as may be in keeping With the hereto appended claims.

I claimzl. In a fire escape, the combination of pivoted sections provided with side bars adapted to be folded into approximately parallel relation when not in use, certain of the side bars being provided with projections to center the bars in their folding operation and a detachable seat having portions adapted to lit between the folded side bars When nested and be supported by the adjacent projections. j

2. In a fire escape the combination of pivoted sections provided with side bars adapted to be folded into approximately parallel relation when not in use, certain of the side bars being provided With projectionsto center the bars in their folding operation and a detachable seat having portions adapted to fit between the folded side bars when nested and be supported by the adjacent projections and be retained against endivise movement. by others of saidprojections.

3. In a fire escape the combination of side bars pivot rods connecting the same to enable the bars to fold into an approximately parallel position when not in use, and means for retaining the same in folded position comprising detachable tie rods engaging the pivot rods, said pivot and tie rods being yieldably related to retain the tie rods yin position by spring action. i

4, In a fire escape the combination of side bars pivot rods connecting the same to en able the bars to fold into an approximately parallel position when not in use, and means for retaining they same in folded position comprising detachable tie rods engaging the pivot rods, thel tie members having hooks at one end and rounded catching portions at the other end. j

5. A lire escape comprising pivotally related sections having side bars, said side bars being grooved lengthwise thereof, and a combined gripping and guiding member adapted to traverse the side bars when extended, said member being arranged to engage opposite faces of the side bars to grip `pivotally related sections adapted to be extended When in use and to be folded into substantially parallel relation when not in use With some of the bars occupying aninside and others an outside relation, said bars becombined gripand guide adapted to engage opposite. faces of the bars to grip the same when canted, said combined grip and guide having'` a pair of projections adapted to ride in the Ways constituted by the groove portions of the bars as the combined grip and guide members traverse alternately over the inside and outside bars.

l fire escape comprising a plurality of pivotally related sections adapted to be extended when in use and to be folded into substantially parallel relation when not in use with some of the bars occupyingan inside and others an outside relation, said bars being grooved longitudinally thereof in their opposite faces, and a combined grip and guide member adapted to engage said opposite faces of the bars to grip the same when canted, said combined grip and guide memk bers having an alined pairs of projections adaptedyto ride in the ways constituted by the grooved portions of the bars as the combined grip and guide members traverse al ternately over the inside and outside bars.

S. il tire escape comprising pivotally related sections having side bars, said sidebars being grooved lengthwise along their opposite faces, and a combined grip and guide member adapted to traverse the side bars when extended, said member being arranged to engage said opposite faces of the guide bars to grip-the same when cant-ed and having projections adapted to engage the Ways formed by the grooved portions of the side bars.

.9, Ina lire escape, side bars adapted to extend alongthe face of a building, guiding means r adapted to traverse said bars, and a foldable seat associated with said guiding means, said comprising horizontal and if'ertical members and diagonal foldable members extending from the vertical inem` bers to the outer portion of the seat, 'the hori- Zontal and vertical members being pivoted together, and the diagonal vfoldable'members each consisting of sections pivotally connected to each other,'the foldable diagonal members at their upper ends being pivotally and slidably connected to the vertical mem- Ybers.

ing grooved longitudinally thereof, and a i i seat comprising horizontal and vertical members and diagonal foldable members extending from the vertical member to the outer portion of the seat, the horizontal and vertical members being pivoted together and said vertical membersbeing formed of telescopic sections slidably related to the upper ends of the diagonal oldable members.

l1. In a fire escape, a plurality of foldably related sections adapted to be extended when in use and to be folded into approximately parallel position when not in use, one of said sections carrying a securing means, and a foldable seat mounted to traverse the sections when extended, and'having a part to be engaged by said securing means to retain the seat in folded position when not in use.

12. In a convertible device of the character described, a hollow supporting frame member, a base upon which the hollow frame member is adapted to rest, having cleats adapted to it within the hollow frame member but removable therefrom, an extensible lire escape foldably related to said hollow frame member and adapted to rest thereupon when not in use andcomprising spaced side bars adapted to receive therebetween said cleats of the base to enable said base to be used'as atop.

13. In a device oit' the character, a body portion having side members and cross bars providing a space therebetween at the top, and a top member adapted to rest on the side members, said top having cross bars on its under surface, and tie members adapted to engage the cross bars of the top and body member'to detachably secure them together.

14. In a fire escape, an under frame having upright members,'an extensible portion adapted to extend along the wall of a building when in use and to be supported in folded relation upon the under frame when not in use, one end of said extensible portion being pivotally connected to one edge ofthe frame so that when thefoldable section is extended and supported on said pivotal connection, the upright portions of the frame may engage around a window sill or the like.

15. In a lire escape, an under frame having upright members, an extensible portion adapted to extend along the wall of a building when in use and yto be supported in folded relation upon the under frame when not in use, one end of said extensible portion being pivotally connected to one edge of the frame so that when the foldable section is extended and supported on said pivotal connection the upright portions of the `frame may engage around a window sill or the like, the frame being extensible to adjust the uprights to greater or less distances apart.

16. In a fire escape, a foldable body portion adapted to be extended to occupy a position along the wall of a building when in use and to present a seat support when in folded position, in combination with a back and arms having front and rear supporting portions, said front and rear supporting portions extending downwardly from the arms in substantially parallel relation and resting upon the said foldable body portion when ythe same is in folded position, the foldable arms having front and rear supporting portions, said front and rear supporting portions extending downwardly from the arms in substantially parallel relation with each other and resting upon the foldable body portion when the same is in folded position, the foldable body portion being pivotally connected to a pair of the arm supporting portions so that when the foldable body por-v tion is extended the said front and reary arm supporting portions may engage around a window sill or the like, the arms being extensible, and means for securing the same in adjusted positions, substantially as described.

18. In a fire escape, a frame having a portion adapted to occupy an upright position, an extensible section adapted to occupy a folded relation to the frame when not in use, a movable connection between the end of said extensible section and said upright portion, and a guide member formed to travel over the extensible section when unfolded, said member being constructed to normally occupy a position on said upright portion and to pass along the same t0 the extensible section, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I hereunto ailix my signature in the presence of two witnesses. YOSI-IITO IWATA. Witnesses:

JOHN G. BnLLANoA, HARRY A. FENTON.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each. by addressing the fcommissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

